Minimalism in one sentence: Get rid of anything and everything that no longer contributes to the life you want to live.
I recently had a helpful online conversation with a person I’ve never met.
I had posted about minimalism on social media (as I tend to do) and she replied with a relatively common response, “I’m just afraid I’ll get rid of something I need later.”
There are, of course, no quick and easy replies to that fear—especially when we’ve never met. I don’t know where she lives, how much stuff she has, what she imagines her ideal life to look like, or even her propensity to throw away things that she’ll need later.
So, I offered my typical one-sentence reply to that question, “Aren’t you afraid of keeping more stuff than you need?”
Her reply went something like this: “No, that’s a dumb thing to be afraid of. Why would I ever be afraid of keeping more than I need?”
And in her reply, I was quickly reminded of the one belief that motivates all minimalist pursuits:
There is a danger in owning more physical possessions than I need.
The specifics of that motivation may look different from person to person.
For example, we may think to ourselves:
- Owning too much keeps me from quality time with my family.
- Owning too much prevents me from achieving financial freedom.
- Owning too much means I am unable to share with others.
- Owning too much is a danger to the environment.
- Owning too much means my priorities are in the wrong place.
- Owning too much slows down my journey of faith.
- Owning too much robs my opportunity to pursue greater passions.
The specific motivation may change, but the overarching understanding is still the same:
It’s not just that possessions won’t make me happy, it’s that they distract me from the things that do! And it’s not just happiness that excess possessions distract us from, but joy, meaning, purpose, fulfillment, and significance.
That is the lightbulb moment that motivates minimalism.
There is a danger in owning more than I need:
The danger of losing my life in pursuit of things that don’t matter.
Courtney Simmons says
I am want to live a minimalist life without my my home looking stark or clinical. I own too much stuff, which is tucked away. My children moved out but left their stuff. However as a newcomer to the desire to own less, it is not easy. I grew up with the adage “It is better to have and not need, then to need and not have.” I am that person people come to for a mint, snack, mask, wipe, gum, safety pin, jumper cables, grocery bag, etc.etc. A paradigm shift is needed.
Anne Milianku says
Use it.
It will feel better than any china u can buy today.
c says
Love, love, love your bottom line!
“The danger of losing my life in pursuit of things that don’t matter.”
Sara says
Emptying out hoarder dad’s house soon and starting to get quotes for labor to remove heavy old business furniture and other things he put in the basement. Plus, he buys a lot of stuff.
This is an unexpected monetary cost of owning/keeping too much.
John says
We often overlook the tyranny of choices, and how it causes stress and wasted time. A simplified wardrobe of interchangeable pieces makes getting dressed easy. A smaller house means less time choosing furnishings and upkeep. The more things we have the more we have to think about them. Their use, maintenance, etc. Once we reduce to the essential, life gets easier, with more space for the things that matter, like family, friends, and our passions.
Anne Eckert says
I think the biggest benefit I have from practicing minimalism or trying to practice it is that I’m very intentional about what I now purchase. This is a process. But it really has cut down on spending and the constant need to find homes for new items. My home is fairly clutter free now and this is calming to me. I like knowing where things are and being able to look into closets and cupboards and see everything that is in there. I still have to resist the urge to buy things that I want but don’t actually need. I’m not where I need to be but I’m not where I used to be. I plan to keep working at minimalism.
Jan says
What is meant by “Owning too much slows down my journey of faith.”?
Nicole Bridger says
I have acted out due to an unhealthy marriage for quite some time now. I guess I was trying to get instant gratification, something that made me feel ( or so I thought) happy.
It has gotten completely out of control. You could say I’m a hoarder of nice things found at good prices.
The price I have to face currently, has become an issue for me. We are divorcing and putting our home on the market next week. There is not enough time for me to “ go through “ everything! I do not like this one bit.
I am on such a short time schedule while on such a long time task it would be to “ go through “.
Less is more- I agree for so many reasons. That is truly what makes me feel good, that is what I lived like prior. I do not have the income to go out and purchase things to replace what I have. I have so many “ I might need that one day” things/moments. It actually is kind of scary to think about getting rid of most of it, to be completely honest. I am seeing how this behavior has caused me more issues then I should have to deal with or ever imagined. Not to mention the embarrassment when people see so much “stuff” .
I’m about to dive into the “ stuff” this morning but I’m so glad to be here in this moment! I feel good about my decision on how I’m going to handle my “stuff “ today!! I already know I’m up for a challenge but challenges show you how capable you are if you put your mind to it!
I’m in the- “blessings others “ kind of spirit. I would like to help anyone who may not actually have enough “ stuff”.
So I’m letting “stuff” go today and I’m also going to come up with a few ideas or a sentence or two of my own to guide me through this trying time.
Please feel free to comment with simple but deep sentences to live by and guide me through this time.
Owning too much not only would cost me more during this time with a storage unit, having to find a place to live with a big double garage or basement., it’s robbing me of peace. I would much rather let go than not and have it continually cause anxiety, money problems , embarrassment, stolen time on what truly is a priority in my life and more.
~~~LESS IS MORE ~~~attitude/ mindset will lead me to the ~~~ true inner peace- that I have been searching for!
Deborah says
Darling Nicole😊 Keep what brings you JOY.
No matter the circumstances life shifts are challenging therefore you will need the joy that lives in the memories of the choice items you keep ♥️
Deb says
Well said. SO true
Nicole Bridger says
I have acted out due to an unhealthy marriage for quite some time now. I guess I was trying to get instant gratification, something that made me feel ( or so I thought) happy.
It has gotten completely out of control. You could say I’m a hoarder of nice things found at good prices.
The price I have to face currently, has become an issue for me. We are divorcing and putting our home on the market next week. There is not enough time for me to “ go through “ everything! I do not like this one bit.
I am on such a short time schedule while on such a long time task it would be to “ go through “.
Less is more- I agree for so many reasons. That is truly what makes me feel good, that is what I lived like prior. I do not have the income to go out and purchase things to replace what I have. I have so many “ I might need that one day” things/moments. It actually is kind of scary to think about getting rid of most of it, to be completely honest. I am seeing how this behavior has caused me more issues then I should have to deal with or ever imagined. Not to mention the embarrassment when people see so much “stuff” .
I’m about to dive into the “ stuff” this morning but I’m so glad to be here in this moment! I feel good about my decision on how I’m going to handle my “stuff “ today!! I already know I’m up for a challenge but challenges show you how capable you are if you put your mind to it!
I’m in the- “blessings others “ kind of spirit. I would like to help anyone who may not actually have enough “ stuff”.
So I’m letting “stuff” go today and I’m also going to come up with a few ideas or a sentence or two of my own to guide me through this trying time.
Please feel free to comment with simple but deep sentences to live by and guide me through this time.
Owning too much not only would cost me more during this time with a storage unit, having to find a place to live with a big double garage or basement., it’s robbing me of peace. I would much rather let go than not and have it continually cause anxiety, money problems , embarrassment, stolen time on what truly is a priority in my life.
Nicole Bridger says
I have acted out due to an unhealthy marriage for quite some time now. I guess I was trying to get instant gratification, something that made me feel ( or so I thought) happy.
It has gotten completely out of control. You could say I’m a hoarder of nice things found at good prices.
The price I have to face currently, has become an issue for me. We are divorcing and putting our home on the market next week. There is not enough time for me to “ go through “ everything! I do not like this one bit.
I am on such a short time schedule while on such a long time task it would be to “ go through “.
Less is more- I agree for so many reasons. That is truly what makes me feel good, that is what I lived like prior. I do not have the income to go out and purchase things to replace what I have. I have so many “ I might need that one day” things/moments. It actually is kind of scary to think about getting rid of most of it, to be completely honest. I am seeing how this behavior has caused me more issues then I should have to deal with or ever imagined. Not to mention the embarrassment when people see so much “stuff” .
I’m about to dive into the “ stuff” this morning but I’m so glad to be here in this moment! I feel good about my decision on how I’m going to handle my “stuff “ today!! I already know I’m up for a challenge but challenges show you how capable you are if you put your mind to it!
I’m in the- “blessings others “ kind of spirit. I would like to help anyone who may not actually have enough “ stuff”.
So I’m letting “stuff” go today and I’m also going to come up with a few ideas or a sentence or two of my own to guide me through this trying time.
Please feel free to comment with simple but deep sentences to live by and guide me through this time.
Candi says
It’s a mindset shift away from the norm, but so freeing!